Republic of Moldova

Youth Inclusion project - Moldova

According to the National Bureau of Statistics of Moldova, youth aged between 15-29 accounted for 25% of the total population in 2014 – this generation has great potential to positively contribute to the development and self-determination of the country, and the youth.

Since the proclamation of independence in 1991, Moldova has been in a phase of transition, which brings significant economic and social changes, and challenges for the well-being of youth are still present. For instance, the low quality of education doens't provide youth with the necessary skills for a successful integration in the labor market. Furthermore, employment vulnerability has increased in rural areas, resulting in an urban exodus to cities and abroad. Additionally, compared to the European average, Moldova faces high adolescent pregnancy rates, high mortality rates due to avoidable causes, and gender violence. Socioeconomic differences seem to represent the most important factors of unequal health outcome.

The Government of the Republic of Moldova recognises the importance of developing its young population as well as regulating the profession of youth workers as stated in its National Strategy for Youth Sector Development 2020. The implementation of this strategy could be benefited from the collaboration between the respective Ministries and local public authorities and should be implemented at the sub national level. Learn more

Key issues affecting young people in Moldova

Project activities

The Youth Well-being Policy Review of Moldova study is part of the OECD Development Centre’s Youth Inclusion Project, co-financed by the European Union. The key findings and recommendations of the study were presented in Chișinău by the Development Centre of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research of the Republic of Moldova.

With one-third of its population aged 14-35, Moldova is poised to benefit from a demographic dividend: better tapping the potential of its youth would boost productivity and strengthen sustainable growth. This can be done by investing in the provision of professional, local youth services, argues the new OECD Development Centre study titled Youth Well-Being Policy Review in Moldova.